During the Civil War, this foundry was producing materiel for the Confederate Armed Forces. In 1863-64 they had as many as 10,000 workers over 100 buildings. In the early part of the war they produced a large cannon lathe. When Selma was threatened by Northern forces the lathe was put on a train to Columbus, Georgia. During the trip, near Irondale, Alabama, the lathe was buried for a time to prevent its capture. It was then dug up and completed its journey to Columbus where it again was used in making cannons. After the war, the lathe went to the Birmingham Rolling Mills, later part of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co. In 1936 the lathe was donated to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University), where it remains on outdoor display to this day. A plaque was added in 1952.
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